The vaping industry has experienced a rapid rate of innovation in recent times, as each manufacturer tries to create an edge over the competition. Now you have an abundance of vapes coming in different shapes and sizes. Various choices of e-liquids also beset you, which can leave you confused about which to go for. Today we’ll talk about nicotine salts, their benefits and the alternatives.

Nicotine Salts

Nicotine salts refer to nicotine in its most natural form. Pure nicotine is alkaline and doesn’t exist naturally. The nicotine extracted from tobacco is a salt of nicotine. Please note that there’s no correlation with the table salt you find in your kitchen. Chemically, salt is the product of a reaction between an acid and an alkali.

So natural nicotine reacts with acids present in the plants and produces nicotine salts. The salt, which is still basic, is treated with an acid, like citric acid or Benzoic acid. This reduces the alkalinity and makes it more pleasant to consume. Here are some benefits of nicotine salts.

A healthier alternative to cigarettes

Smoking exposes you to serious health risks, whether or not you are a heavy smoker. Of course, the more you smoke, the higher the risk. Several factors contribute to the health risks of smoking cigarettes, including the different additives and chemicals added to the products.

So a typical stick of cigarette poisons you with carcinogenic substances like formaldehyde and arsenic. This makes nicotine salts a better alternative. With nicotine salts, you aren’t exposed to such harmful additives and chemicals.

Fast absorbing in the bloodstream

The presence of Benzoic or Citric acid in the nicotine salt’s chemical formula optimizes it for absorption into the bloodstream. Acids bond well with nicotine, and manufacturers use this property by preparing the nicotine salts with acids that naturally exist and are beneficial to the body, like citric acid. 

This makes it easier for the human membrane to allow the molecules to pass into the bloodstream. The high absorption rate makes nicotine salts a suitable replacement if you intend to quit smoking. It gives a strong nicotine hit, strong enough to satisfy your cravings.

Still smooth in higher doses

Nicotine salts have a lower pH, which essentially means it’s more acidic. This results in a much smoother experience for your throat when you vape. Even at a higher concentration, nicotine salts provide a smoother throat kick experience. 

You also don’t experience the discomfort associated with other vaping alternatives when you vape for long, although the nicotine hit will ensure you don’t have to vape for long periods.

Available in the highest nicotine strengths

Another advantage of nicotine salts is that they can come in varying degrees of strength. Its ease of absorption ensures that high concentration levels don’t result in a harsh throat experience. Nicotine salts come in medium or high concentration levels, depending on your taste.

Works best with lower power wattage devices

Vapes that use nic salts require little power, so you can purchase a vape with low power consumption. The low power consumption is another benefit of its lower pH value. The lower pH actually reduces the temperature needed to vape, bringing it much lower than it would require without acid treatment.

So the low power consumption results from the lower vaping temperature. They are excellent for lower-powered devices and pod vapes.

Optimal for newbie vapers and mixed users

The nicotine hit associated with nic salts makes it the most suitable e-liquid for newbie vapers seeking to quit smoking. The idea of vaping is to provide a substitute that offers an experience close enough to the experience you get whenever you smoke. Nic salts provide the best experience, and the nicotine hit lasts for longer.

The long-lasting effect of the nicotine hit also ensures you don’t immediately feel the need to go for a second stick of cigarette. You’ll find that you breathe easier as you smoke less, and you also develop a more robust immune system.

Longest shelf life because of slower oxidation

Nicotine salts oxidize slowly, which is expected chemically. Salts are generally more chemically stable than their acid and base components. This is especially true for organic compounds. This gives nic salts a longer shelf life compared to its alternatives. 

Nic salts’ expiry date varies from one product to another, but they last for approximately twice as long as freebase nicotine. This is only true if you store it properly in a cool, dark place.

Alternatives to Nicotine Salts

There are two alternatives to nicotine salts; freebase nicotine and synthetic nicotine. Freebase nicotine has existed for decades, but synthetic nicotine is a recent innovation.

Freebase nicotine

Freebase nicotine is nicotine in its purest form. This is produced by stripping the nicotine off its salt protons, converting it from its salt form to an alkaline form. The freebasing process uses ammonia, an alkali, thereby raising the nicotine’s pH value.

Freebase nicotine provides more nicotine hits without increasing concentration and giving a more potent nicotine rush. Its higher pH level, however, makes it unpleasant for the throat at a higher concentration or, if consumed for long periods. Freebase nicotine is the most common component of most cigarettes, cigarette replacement products like gums and patches, and vape e liquids.

Synthetic nicotine

This is a recent innovation in the industry, and details of its information are still primarily secret and backed up by several patents. However,  as far as we know, synthetic nicotine refers to nicotine produced from other sources not related to tobacco. In terms of chemical composition, there’s not much difference between both kinds of nicotine.

The significant difference lies in the percentage of isomers present in the nicotine derived from each source. Isomerism refers to how the atoms of an organic compound arrange themselves spatially. This means that two compounds can have equal constituent atoms but still be different because of their spatial arrangements.

Nicotine derived from tobacco contains over 99% of S-nicotine, while synthetic nicotine is an equal blend of S-nicotine and R-nicotine. There hasn’t been a pronounced observation of a difference in effect for either type of nicotine.

Conclusion

Nicotine salts have several benefits that make them suitable for a vaper. However, alternatives are welcome because you have the freedom to choose which best suits you. Factors like the decision to quit smoking, previous experience with vapes and preferred nicotine level will help you determine which to choose. We hope you found this article helpful. If you had any questions, concerns, or comments about this article, want to tell us what you liked, or how we could improve the article send us a message @vapecove. Visit us for more blogs and for all your vaping needs check out Vape Cove.